harpman

HARPHAM Family A Huge collection of transciptions from Hawkes Bay , Poverty Bay Newspaper Painstakingly transcribbed by Elaine, and her wonderful team Your Time has been appreciated and I am delighted to be allowed to put them on my site
The information on these pages is for genealogy research only. It may be linked to but not copied in any form without the owners permission
References to HARPHAM Family - and others- FROM 1858 - Taradale. From "Taradale. The story of a Village 1844-2000" by Janet GORDON and Shirley SPENCE.
Henry ALLEY came to the area and leased land from COLENSO in 1858. The Electoral Rolls of 1865 & 1858 confirm William COLENSO as the owner of lots 48-53 and lot 64 with Henry ALLEY as the lessee. ALLEY called the area Taradale after the Hills of Tara in County Meath, Ireland, where he was born. This was confirmed in an interview with Rita HUNT, a grand-daughter of William HARPHAM, with one of Henry ALLEY's daughters. Slowly during the 1860's families arrived, put down roots and opened small businesses. Taradale was know as upper Meeanee and its position on a cross road coupled with its fertile soil was to attract many buyers. Mrs HARLAND,William HARPHAM and Thomas GEBBIE were among the earliest, followed by George RHYMER,John MURPHY,William Henry Camden HOWARD AND OTHERS. Francis and Ann HAMMOND arrived with their recently married aughter Eliza and her husband Henry HARRISON. When confronted with very primitive housing conditions, which came as a bit of a shock to some. Confronted with a two-roomed building, Mrs Emma HARPHAM asked, "I can see the cow-bail but where is our house?" 1866 A group of possibly 100 Hau Hau warriors under their leader, Paora TOKI, were making their way through Hawkes' Bay to Petane and by 4th October the party had reached Omaranui. Homes around Taradale were immediately evacuated with women and children taken first to Meeanee and then on to Napier. Many of the men joined the Militia and fought under Colonel WHITMORE with Captain GORDON leading a party of voluntary cavalrymen. William HARPHAM fought in the battle only three days before his wife and four children arrived from England. 1879-1879 Taradale Township was gradually established. William HARPHAM made the first cheese in the district using an old cheese press from England and Mr ALLANAK opened a bakery in 1872. First saddlery was started in 1873 by Mr G BRADLEY. 1880-1889 When Albert HARPHAM was about to be caned at school by Headmaster, Mr SMITH, he bit the Head's behind. Mrs SMITH complained that the teeth marks showed for a long time. 1887 plus William HARPHAM's daughter Sarah was en enthusiastic organist and William bought Suzanne AUBERT's harmonium for Sarah which is now with her granddaughter Zelma DICKSON. Sarah used to play the organ for all three Anglican services on Sundays. First at All Saint's church at 11am, then Meeanee at 2pm and at 7pm she went to Puketapu, often walking all the way. George RIDLEY was about to return to England when he saw Sarah playing and remained in Taradale where he worked as a contractor as was involved in civic affairs. 1894-1896 W.HARPHAM Chariman of Town Board and was very active in civic affairs. ****There are photos of Mr Harpham and others in page 31 of this book) In 1948- Two subdivisions were developed by Jack McDONALD- one in the area of HARPHAM street, Birdwood Street and Puketapu Road.

©2002-2005 Barbara Andrew